It looked like a no-brainer at the time. Which coach wouldn't jump at the chance to lead starpacked and wealthy Real Madrid? But four months later Julen Lopetegui may be ruing the day the club's president Florentino Perez made him an offer that he just couldn't refuse.

Not only did his decision in June to sign for Madrid get him fired as Spain's manager two days before the start of the World Cup, but the juggernaut Lopetegui inherited from Zinedine Zidane is now a team in apparent disarray.

Fortunately for Lopetegui, Barcelona is also in a domestic dip despite Lionel Messi's best efforts.

Messi scored to salvage a 1-1 draw at Valencia on Sunday, but Barcelona's winless streak in the league reached four games.

Put others on hold: Man Utd to Zizou

Zinedine Zidane has been asked to snub all job offers as Manchester United decide on Jose Mourinho's future.

The former Real Madrid boss has been contacted and asked to reject approaches with Mourinho's job in the balance.

French World Cup winner Zidane (left) is the No.1choice to succeed Mourinho if the Old Trafford board pull the plug on the Portuguese. United used the same tactics when they placed Mourinho on standby as they contemplated the future of Louis van Gaal.

It's why Mourinho can have no complaints if Zidane steps into his shoes as United look to move in a new direction.

Zidane has been learning English and - as reported by Sunday Mirror Sport -has already compiled a list of potential future signings.

Portuguese marksman is ready to take field against Udinese as Juventus’ shares drop amid rape allegation

Can Mourinho survive ‘manhunt’?

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho survived a wild weekend at Old Trafford to escape what he described as a "manhunt" after a terrible start to the season.

But a thrilling comeback from 2-0 down to beat lowly Newcastle 3-2 could prove to be little more than a stay of execution for Mourinho, with a run of tougher fixtures looming.

He said he had received a text message from a senior board member, believed to be the club's executive vicechairman Ed Woodward, before kick-off on Saturday telling him to ignore reports that the axe was set to fall regardless of the result against Newcastle.

"There is a lot of wickedness and a clear manhunt," said the 55-year-old Portuguese boss in a post-match rage despite the late turnaround.

His third seasons in his second spell at Chelsea and Real Madrid also ended in acrimonious departures after poor results and falling out with key players.

In saving Mourinho's job, at least for now, a rousing second-half display at Old Trafford was in some ways an indictment of his time in charge.

Presuming he is still in charge, Mourinho returns to Chelsea after the international break, where he has lost in all three visits as United manager, with no goals scored.

Two Champions League clashes with Cristiano Ronaldo's Juventus and meetings with high-flying Bournemouth and Everton follow before United travel to City for the Manchester derby on November 11. This time City could deliver the final nail in the coffin. Not for the title, but Mourinho's